Patent application title: Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker

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Abstract:

The present provides a water proof hooded poncho designed specifically
for the riders of bicycles and motorcycles, to store within a zippered
seat pouch and provide instant access when needed. The Hooded Poncho Rain
Slicker incorporates Velcro® fastening straps within the seat pad
storage, utilized to ensure a close fit when a rider is moving through
wind and rain.

Claims:

1. An improved hooded rain poncho and slicker for use by a cyclist in
inclement weather, comprising: a water proof hooded poncho having pull
cords incorporated around the hood and wrist areas to allow the user to
secure the Poncho around their face and wrists during inclement weather;

2. The rain poncho of claim 1 comprised of a lightweight but waterproof
and wind resistant vinyl material.

3. The rain poncho of claim 1 comprised of Gore-Tex® fabric.

4. The rain poncho of claim 1 further comprising a zippered seat pouch
for mounted under the seat for easy storage and access of the poncho.

5. The rain poncho of claim 4 further comprising Velcro® fastening
straps inside the seat pouch, said straps utilized to ensure a close fit
when a rider is moving through wind and rain.

6. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the seams of the poncho and the pouch
are sealed for greater water resistance.

7. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho folds down into a compact
unit, for storage in the pouch, and wherein the pouch fastens to the
underside of a bicycle or motorcycle seat in a form fitting fashion, by a
set of lengthwise and transverse Velcro® equipped straps which run
under the seat.

8. The poncho of claim 7 further comprising a slip pocket located at the
front of the pouch to prevent any shifting of the pouch while in motion.

9. The poncho of claim 7 wherein the pouch is composed of a waterproof
nylon or similar material as the poncho and the pouch measures
approximately six and one half inches to seven inches in width with an
overall length measuring approximately eight and one half inches.

10. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho is produced in two sizes,
one size fits all for men and one size fits all for women.

11. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho is Produced in a variety of
neon colors for greater rider visibility in inclement weather, and also
in neutral colors.

[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of outer gear, and more
specifically to the field of outer gear for inclement weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The prior art has put forth several designs for outer gear used in
inclement weather. Among these are:

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,933 to Larry W. Love describes a poncho and
cushion combination for use as a protective weather garment while
sitting. The cushion rests below the spectator's buttocks when standing
while wearing the poncho. The cushion is then readily available for the
spectator to sit down on. The poncho has an extension sheet that can be
rolled together with the poncho and fastened to the cushion for storage.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,725 to Barney J. Brewer describes a convertible
poncho adapted for use as a protective covering for bicycles and
motorcycles and the like, as a ground cover or a protective rainwear for
the rider.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,852 to Dwight S. Meeks describes a storm
cushion having an attached stylish and protective foul or cold weather
garment in the interior thereof. The cushion is used as a conventional
cushion plus the garment is available for unfolding from the interior of
the cushion if sitting in inclement weather conditions.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
hooded poncho and rain slicker for use by a cyclist in inclement weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side illustrative view of a rider on a bicycle wearing
the present invention showing a visor on a protective hood.

[0010]FIG. 2 is perspective functional view of the present invention
showing a visor on a protective hood and a pull cord with a cord lock
located below the hood and wrist area.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the underside of a bicycle seat,
showing a slip on pocket, a strap and a compacted poncho stowed inside a
padded seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Hooded Poncho
Rain Slicker, is an improvement of the emergency foul weather gear that
bicycle or motorcycle riders carry when riding. Any bicycle or motorcycle
rider who has been caught unprepared in a sudden squall or downpour
usually tells a harrowing story. Most of the foul weather gear available
to bicyclists and bikers is expensive and too bulky to carry comfortably.
The adorned gear flaps and whips in the wind, slows the rider's progress
and may leak and keep the rider wet.

[0013] The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker of the present invention is a water
proof hooded poncho designed specifically for the riders of bicycles and
motorcycles, to store within a zippered seat pouch and provide instant
access when needed. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker incorporates
Velcro® fastening straps within the seat pad storage, utilized to
ensure a close fit when a rider is moving through wind and rain. The
Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker product comprises a foul weather garment for
cyclists and motorcyclists, and complete system for storing, accessing
and wearing such the garment. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is produced
in a lightweight but waterproof and wind resistant vinyl material, a
material often used for inexpensive ponchos designed for emergency use by
backpackers and hikers. This choice of material keeps production costs
down, along with wholesale and retail prices. An alternate embodiment of
the present invention comprises breathable Gore-Tex® fabric which
makes present invention more expensive, but provides greater comfort and
a longer product life. The seams of the Slicker and the pad/pouch are
sealed for greater water resistance.

[0014] Pull cords are incorporated around the hood and wrist areas
allowing the user to secure the Poncho around their face and wrists
during inclement weather.

[0015] The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker folds down into a compact unit, to
be stowed in a zippered pouch. This pouch fastens to the underside of a
bicycle or motorcycle seat in a form fitting fashion, by a set of
lengthwise and transverse Velcro® equipped straps which run under the
seat. A slip pocket located at the front of the pouch prevents any
shifting of the pouch while in motion. This seat pad pouch is composed of
a waterproof nylon or similar material as the Rain Slicker and measures
approximately six and one half inches to seven inches in width with an
overall length measuring approximately eight and one half inches. An
elasticized skirting depth, which surrounds the side of the seat,
measures approximately three inches. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is
produced in two sizes, one size fits all for men and one size fits all
for women. The nylon zipper extends almost an entire periphery of the
seat pad pouch, with a pull tab located at the rear of the seat.

[0016] To access the Poncho, a rider dismounts their bike, unzips the
retaining zipper and pulls the folded Poncho out. The design embodiment
of the present invention comprises a poncho with a hooded visor. This
embodiment incorporates pull cords for sizing the garment and securing it
snugly. This embodiment also incorporates pull cords for securing the top
of the garment where a hood resides with an opening for one's head. The
present invention is produced in a variety of neon colors for greater
rider visibility in inclement weather, and also in neutral colors.

[0017] The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is a self contained and self stowing
foul weather poncho that doubles as a seat pad for bicycles and
motorcycles. Using the Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker provides cyclists with
an easily carried, instantly accessible, and snugly fitting piece of rain
gear.

[0018] Although this invention has been described with respect to specific
embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various
modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill
in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the
invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and the appended claims.